Determining optimal number of cores in a submarine power cable

Abstract

Submarine power cables must be reinforced and must possess suitable mechanical properties to meet operational requirements for complex marine environments. This study numerically investigated the mechanical properties of submarine power cables under tensile, torsional, and compressive loading. The optimal number of cores was determined according to the variation in tensile and torsional stiffness with radial compressive pressure. As the radial compressive pressure increased, the tensile and torsional stiffness of the four- and five-core cable models decreased marginally compared with those of the three-core cable model; thus, the five-core cable model was superior to the two-, three-, and four-core cable models in terms of radial deformation and contact stress. The two-core cable model was superior to the three-, four-, and five-core cable models in terms of tensile and torsional strength. The results of this study can serve as a reference in the design of submarine power cables.

Keywords

• Submarine power cable
• Coupled tension and torsion
• Radial stiffness
• Number of cores